Death of newborn daughter leads West Ashley basketball coach to offer summer camp

To honor the death of his newborn daughter, Sydney Ann Haggerty, a West Ashley coach is holding a new summer basketball camp for the ministry he credits with helping him and his wife cope with the loss.

Sydney's father, Shaun Haggerty, is offering the first Sydney Ann Summer Shootout with other volunteer coaches next month to raise money for CrossBridge Ministries in Mount Pleasant, a faith-based nonprofit that helps families coping with critical medical emergencies.

The camp will be held July 21-24 at West Ashley High School. It is open to boys and girls ages six to 15 years old of all skill levels.

Camp fees will go to the Sydney Ann Haggerty Memorial Fund at CrossBridge to benefit families of critically ill children.

Sydney, who died a year ago Monday, was diagnosed with a rare condition in utero and lived just 20 minutes after birth.

After the diagnosis, Haggerty and his wife were put in touch with CrossBridge.

"They were literally a godsend," says Haggerty, math teacher and assistant varsity basketball coach at West Ashley High School who has run other camps for 15 summers.

CrossBridge paid for the couple to receive counseling as well as basics including meals in the hospital. Its volunteers also put the Haggertys in touch with a funeral home operator who did not charge them for Sydney's funeral.

"I owe so much to CrossBridge for our healing," Haggerty says.

CrossBridge helps families with loved ones at local hospitals who are coping with critical medical emergencies and other major events. The ministry's volunteers visit families in the hospital, hold prayer circles, advocate for families and help provide basics, including transportation, housing and meals.

For campers who register before July 6, each session costs $50. Both sessions cost $90. To include lunch, add $5 per day. After July 6, the cost increases to $60 for one session and $100 for both.

For more, call (864) 986-9344 or email CampSydneyann@gmail.com.

Reach Jennifer Hawes at 937-5563 or follow her on Twitter at @JenBerryHawes.

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